Cluster lamp-socket



atented Sept. 27, 1921.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

n I I I I 1 I 1 1 T. ODONNELL.

CLUSTER LAMP SOCKET,

PatentedSept. 27,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. Q I APPLICATION FILED NOV- 12, I919- 1,391,904.

Patented Sept 27, 1921;

3' SHEETS-SHEET 3a T. ODONNELL.

CLUSTER LAMPSOGKET. APPLICATION FILED NOV-12.- I9I9- UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS women; or

IRONWOOD, MICHIGAN.

CLUSTER LAMP-SOCKET.

1,391,904. 7 Application filed. November 1 T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ODONNELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ironwood, in the county of Gogebic and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cluster Lamp-Sockets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrical cluster lamp sockets.

An important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above-mentloned character formed of few and simple parts which may be readily separated and assembled.

Another important object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above-mentioned character which may be used for either direct or indirect lighting.

, 'A further object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket of this character which is attractive and neat in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which l ke numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

T Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of my socket in use for direct lighting;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken at approximately right angles to the section shown in Fig.1;

Fig. a is detached perspective ofthe 1nterior arrangement of my socket;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken through one of the lamp sockets;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the lamp socket attached; I Y

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the electrical connection for the lamps;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section of my lamp in use in semi-direct lighting; and V Fig. 9 is a perspective of the lower auxiliary insulating support, showing the wire receiving grooves therein.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodi ment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates a metallic casing having a screw threaded opening 11 in the upper end thereof. The lower end of the casing 10 is flared and increases in diameter downwardly and v ing 12 Specification cf Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 2'7, 1921,

a, 1919. Serial No. 337,462.

has a cap 12 detachably connected therewith by any suitable means. The cap 12 is provided with a central screw threaded opensimilar to the opening 11 in the casing 10.

Arranged within the casing 10 is a main insulating member or support 13 formed of .wood fiber, porcelain or any other material.

Arranged upon the top of the main insulating support is an upper'auxiliary support Tad-disposed in the upper end of the casing 10. The upper end of the main insulating support 13 and the lower end of the auxiliary insulating support 14 is provided with a recess or chamber 15 within which is ar ranged a pivoted contact switch element 16 adapted to engage and disengage the stationary contact switch element for spring contact 17. The movable contact element 16 is rigidly mounted upon the metallic rod or rock shaft 18 journaled through the ends of a metallic bracket 19 electrically connected to the spring contact 17. I The movable contact 16 engages a stationary contact 19 at the same time as it engages the contact 17 The rock shaft 18 extends through openings 20 and projects exteriorly of the casing lOand carries an insulating key. or knob 21, as shown. The spring contact 17 is secured to the upper auxiliary insulating support let by a bolt 22 or the like. The auxiliary insulating support 1% is held fixed to the upper end of the main insulating support 13 by a screw 23 or the like having electrical contact with the contact element 17 as shown at 24. The main insulating support tionary contact 27 has a screw threaded opening for receivlng the lower end of the screw 28. The contact 27 has a binding post 23 for engagement with the wire 29 and the contact 26 has a binding post 30 for engagement with the wire 31. The wires 29. and 31 have connection with the opposite'poles of a source of current and are arrangedin grooves 32 and pass out through the opening 11 in the upper end of the casing or of the opening 12 in the lower end of the casing, depending on which form of lighting the cluster is being used.

Arranged beneath the main insulating support 13 is a lower auxiliary insulating support 33 held in place by a bolt 3-1 passing centrally therethrough having screw threaded engagement with the bracket 19. The

upper end of the auxiliary support 33 is provided with an annular groove 35 receiving a metallic conducting element or ring 37. The metallic ring 37 has screw threaded engagement with the bolt 38 engaging the contact element 26, as shown. Arranged beneath the annular groove 35 is a central recess 39 within which is arranged a metallic conducting element 40 preferably in the form of a spider which is apertured for receiving the bolt 34 and has electrical contact therewith.

The cap 12 is provided with two or more sleeves 41 (only two being shown) holding insulating rings 42. Arranged within the insulating rings 42 are screw threaded metallic sleeves 43 electrically connected by means of a bolt or bolts 44 with a conducting ring 37. This metallic sleeve 43 is adapted for engagement with a screw threaded socket 45 of an electric lamp 463. The op posite terminal 47 of this electric lamp contacts with the head of a bolt 48 passing through the insulating support 33 and having electrical contact with the conducting element 40.

The lower face of the lower auxiliary insulating support 33 is provided with diverging grooves 49 in the lower face thereof. The support 33 is also provided in the bottom thereof with a central recess 49 which communicates with the grooves 49, the purpose of the recess and diverging grooves will hereinafter appear.

In order that the cluster socket may be readily reversible and at the same time present a neat appearance, I have arranged a novel connecting means embodying a bushing 50 which is interchangeable in the screw threaded openings 11 and 1%. This bushing is provided with a shoulder 51 for the purpose of retaining it within the casing. A suspension device 52 is shown as comprising the usual chain suspension having secured to its lower end a tubular member 53 externally screw threaded for interchangeable engagement with the screw threaded openings 11 and 12*. This suspension device carries the usual leading in wires 29 and 31. A shade holder 54 is provided for the purpose of holding the shade or refiector S steadily in position upon the socket. This shade holder is in turn held in place by a boss nut 55 which may be locked in position upon the bushing 50 by means of a screw 56.

When the lamp is used for direct lighting, as shown in Fig. 1, the suspension device is secured in the opening 11 and the leading in wires placed in the grooves formed in the upper auxiliary insulating support 14.

When in this position, the bushing 50 is placed in the lower opening 12 of the cluster and the boss nut 55 placed thereon to prevent its loss. When used for indirect lighting the suspension device is placed in the opening 12 and the shade S, shade holder 54 and boss nut 55 placed in position upon the bushing 50, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. In this position, the leading in wires enter the central recess 49 of the lower insulating support 33 and extend through the grooves 49 to the binding post.

The remainder of my device being practically identical with the structure shown in my previous Patent No. 1,163,446, a description of the operation thereof is considered unnecessary.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A reversible cluster lamp socket comprising a casing, lamp sockets arranged in the bottom of said casing, said casing being provided with threaded extensions arranged at the top and bottom, means for suspending said casing, comprising a tubular element adapted to engage either of said extensions and provided with an opening for the reception of a flexible element, a second tubular element adapted to engage the other extension, and globe supporting means adapted to be carried by either of said tubular elements.

2. A reversible cluster lamp socket comprising a casing, lamp sockets arranged in the bottom of said casing, said casing being provided with threaded extensions arranged at the top and bottom, means for suspending said casing, comprising a tubular element adapted to engage either of said extensions and provided with an opening for the reception of a flexible element, a second tubular element adapted to engage the other extension, a globe provided with an opening for the passage of either of said extensions, and a globe holder adapted to be supported by either of said tubular members.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS ODONNELL.

Witnesses:

JOHN O. GUSTAFSON, DAY BARRON. 

